Bayern claim vital win over Shakhtar

FC Bayern beat Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday night. The match was staged in Gelsenkirchen due to the war in Ukraine. Kevin handed Shakhtar an early goal, but Konrad Laimer soon levelled the scores and Thomas Müller turned the tide before half-time. Michael Olise added a third from the penalty spot midway through the second half and Jamal Musiala banished any last lingering doubts, with Olise rounding off his brace in added time.

Bayern lined up with Daniel Peretz in goal and Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Minjae Kim and Raphaël Guerreiro in defence. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Olise, Musiala and Leroy Sané, with Müller up front. Sacha Boey, Mathys Tel, Adam Aznou, Eric Dier and Arijon Ibrahimović took over from Guerreiro, Sané, Laimer, Kim and Müller in the second half.

Bayern bounce back

Bayern started on the front foot but had to stomach an early setback when Shakhtar won the ball in midfield, Oleksandr Zubkov setting up Kevin, who beat Peretz. Munich soon levelled the scores, Laimer blasting into the net from a failed clearance.

Sané saw an effort saved and a Musiala shot was deflected wide as Munich set up camp in Shakhtar's half. Olise aimed too high before Donetsk almost restored the lead out of the blue, Heorhiy Sudakov aiming just wide from Kevin's square. Vincent Kompany's men took the lead shortly before half-time, Sané winning the ball in the opposition half before Musiala's square invited Müller to tap in.

Olise seals it

Sané fired wide, but the Bavarians eased off at the start of the second half, Müller and Goretzka both making crucial blocks. A Goretzka shot was saved as Bayern upped the pressure again and Musiala soon had the ball in the net, but the goal was chalked off for a foul.

After Laimer fired over, Munich were awarded a penalty when Boey was upended in the box, Olise dispatching. Boey saw a shot saved and Peretz denied Pedrinho, but Musiala made it four when he pounced on a loose ball before Olise shone with a solo run and slotted home to round off the final scoreline.

The important victory means Munich move up to eighth place in the table. Bayern will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to face Mainz in the Bundesliga. Their next Champions League match will be against Feyenoord on 22 January.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen